Bellarmine Tops Robert Morris in Season Opener

Louisville, Ky. – Feb. 15, 2014 – Robert Morris opened up its 2014 campaign at Bellarmine this afternoon – the third-straight season it has begun the season against the Golden Knights. Despite a hat trick from freshman JonPatrik Kealey (Ottawa, Ontario/South Carelton), the Colonials fell to Bellarmine, 10-7.

Robert Morris (0-1, 0-0 NEC) dropped its second-straight contest to Bellarmine (1-0, 0-0 ECAC) and are now 3-6 all-time against the Golden Knights.

The Colonials dented the scoreboard first as Kealey scored an unassisted goal from the right of the circle. However, Bellarmine answered with four goals, including one with four seconds left in the quarter.

The Golden Knights tacked on another goal to make it 5-1, but RMU replied with Kealey's second of the contest. Freshman Alexander Bohl (Vancouver, British Columbia/The Hill Academy) forced a turnover and gathered his own ground ball, giving RMU a fast-break opportunity. The ball eventually made its way to sophomore James Rahe (Aldergrove, British Columbia/W.J. Mouat), who then found Kealey to pull the Colonials within three.

Bellarmine picked up its sixth goal of the half with 5:22 remaining, but sophomore Eric Rankel (Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown West) notched his first tally of the season 32 seconds later to set the halftime score.

Just like the first half, the Colonials opened up the second half scoring with a goal from Rahe. Eric Rankel ended up with the ball after senior Tyler Rankel (Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown West) forced a turnover to give RMU possession, then took a shot that was saved by the Golden Knights goalkeeper. Rankel gathered the rebound and passed it off to Rahe, who found the back of the net for his first goal of the season.

Bellarmine answered with two goals to make it 8-4, but Kealey responded with a tally of his own off a pass from junior Jacob Ruest (Cornwall, Ontario/The Hill Academy) to complete the hat trick. After another Golden Knight goal, Rahe registered his second of the contest, capitalizing on a man-up opportunity. Sophomore Luke Laszkiewicz (Oshawa, Ontario/Westminster Prep) was credited with the assist on Rahe's goal.

Laszkiewicz pulled the Colonials within two with an unassisted tally. The score remained 9-7 for most of the final stanza, but Bellarmine set the final with 2:17 remaining as RMU couldn't kill off a penalty.

Senior Brian Bohn (Mars, Pa./Seneca Valley) earned the start in net and made 15 saves on the afternoon.

The Colonials won 15 of 21 face-offs and gathered 25 groundballs.

Robert Morris will open up the home slate of its schedule on Feb. 23 as Detroit comes to Moon Township. The non-conference meeting is scheduled for a 1:00 p.m. start from Joe Walton Stadium.